Figure 1.--.
|
Figure 1.--. |
The question of how to approach history with younger students is an interesting one. Many children find history dry. This was in part because there was a heavy emphasis on memory work, especially dates. Actually history is a subject that can be made interesting for children, primarily because they love stories. Any of course history is a compendium of often remarable stories, Any teacher with a little imagintion can put together stories that cam leave his young charges spellbown. The trick, of course, in to make sure that historical insights flow from those stories. A fange of projects and activities are also useful at this age. A more difficult challenge is how to introduce the concept of controversy to younger children who are prone to see history in black and white terms.
"The principle office of history I take to be this: to present virtuous actions from being forgotten, and that evil words and deeds should fear an infamous reputation with posterity." -- Tacticus, Annal III LXV.
Last year I commented on the importance of history in seeing the present in a proper context. To the prep school pupil, however, tere is actually little to be gained by discussions of relkative morality. First it may be too disheatening to dwell on how man has failed to lift himself out of the guagmire of crimes and follies which make up history; and secondly they are too young to start forming opinions which might be too greatly affected by the teacher's views. I consider it of greater importance at this age to learn of characters and deeds, the knowledge of which will emphasise the sort of qualities in a person that are of worth.
Whenever I read of Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar, it brings a lump to my throat (and a slight tightness eound the chest which I come to recognize as a warning sign that I am being moved). General Wolfe, Clive of India, General Gordon, Florence Nightingale, King Harold, Robert the Bruce, Martin Luther, Francis Drake, Thomas More, Lady Jane Gray, and so on, all provide examples of a heroic spirit. Similarly there are those who represent evil qualities, such as Nero, King John, Hitler, King Herod the Great, Stalin, and so on, and on such characters can we vest our loathing. ....
FW, Great Walstead Magazine 1987.
